German word

herkommen

Pronunciation

IPA/ˈheːɐ̯ˌkɔmən/

Meaning

  • verbcome from

Example

Wo kommt dieser Brauch her?

Where does this custom come from?

Illustration for herkommen (come from)

More examples

Viele traditionelle Bräuche kommen aus der Region her.

Many traditional customs come from the region.

Core concept

A path from an outside source leads toward the speaker, while the starting point remains relevant.

Common phrases

  • von dort herkommen

    come from there

  • aus der Region herkommen

    come from the region

Similar words

stammen: Trace a person or thing to a particular region or family.
kommen: Move from one place to another and arrive at a destination.
hervorgehen: Result from an earlier event or set of circumstances.
herrühren: Be caused by a particular source or underlying factor.

Definition in German

Ein trennbares Verb, das ausdrückt, dass etwas von einem Ort oder einer Quelle zum Sprecher oder hierher kommt.

Word origin

The separable verb combines inherited Germanic kommen with her, an old directional adverb meaning "here" or "toward here".

Usage tips

  • In a main clause, her separates and moves to the end, as in "Wo kommt dieser Brauch her?".

Other meanings

  • comeverb
  • be fromverb

Related words

  • ankommenarriveverb
  • Herkunftsortplace of originnoun

Word lists with this word